About this tour
When Mia from our BugBitten team caught the Ao Nang Princess ferry from Railay Beach to Koh Phi Phi, it was a straightforward 1 hour 48 minute crossing through the Andaman Sea. You'll meet at Railay West Beach (in front of Railay Village Resort and Spa) 30 minutes early, then cruise to Ton Sai Pier on Koh Phi Phi Don, dropping you within walking distance of the island's main tourist hub. It's a no-frills passenger ferry service that runs daily year-round—twice daily in peak season (November to May), once in the quieter months. The ferry includes basic travel insurance and gets you between two popular spots without the hassle of arranging your own boat.
Highlights
- Direct route between two major beach destinations with no stops
- Operates daily all year, so flexibility if you're island-hopping
- Drops you at the working end of Koh Phi Phi—close to bars and shops
- Basic travel insurance baked into the ticket
- 30-minute buffer before departure gives you time to settle
- Suitable for all fitness levels—just a sit-down journey
- Full refund if weather forces cancellation or delay
What to expect
The ferry experience is no-nonsense. You'll turn up 30 minutes before departure at the Railay West meeting point, check in, and board the Ao Nang Princess—a working passenger vessel, not a luxury catamaran. Mia found the crossing itself fairly typical for the Andaman in decent conditions: a bit of swell, plenty of fellow travellers (mix of backpackers and package tourists), and the journey takes just under two hours. You'll arrive at Ton Sai Pier on the busier side of Koh Phi Phi Don, which means you're steps from the main strip of restaurants, tour operators, and accommodation. It's not a scenic cruise with cocktails; it's a transport link that gets you from A to B reliably.
What made it work was the straightforwardness. No long waits, no detours, no upsell. The boat leaves on schedule, and you get dropped where you actually want to be. The inclusion of basic travel insurance is a quiet bonus if things go pear-shaped. Just remember you're not being picked up from your hotel—you need to get to Railay West yourself, which can eat into your morning if you're coming from elsewhere.
What travellers say
- Direct ferry with no island-hopping middlemen
- Two daily services in high season for flexible timing
- Central drop-off near Koh Phi Phi's main tourist infrastructure
- Straightforward booking without hidden extras
- Basic travel insurance included as standard
- Full refund if weather forces cancellation
- No hotel pickup—you cover transport to Railay West yourself
- Weather delays or cancellations can disrupt your plans
- Single morning departure during low season limits flexibility
- Packed boats and crowded pier in peak months
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This is the sensible option if you're already on Railay Beach and want to hop to Koh Phi Phi without fussing. Daily departures mean you've got flexibility in timing, and two services a day during high season (November–May) give you options. The pier landing is central—no speed boat chaos, just a solid working ferry. Basic insurance is included, so you're covered for the crossing. Anyone can do this; it's not physically demanding.
Weather and sea state can cause delays or cancellations (full refund applies, but it messes with your itinerary). You're not getting hotel pickup—you have to make your own way to Railay West, which means an extra cost or trek if you're staying away from the beach. Infants must sit on an adult's lap (no bassinet). Peak-season boats can be packed. Low-season (June–October) runs on a single morning departure, so plan around that. Ton Sai Pier is functional, not scenic—it's the tourist-centre drop-off, not a quieter beach.
Money for the journey, sunscreen, your booking confirmation, a light bag (stash luggage safely). Seasickness tablets if you're prone. The ferry itself has limited shade on deck, so a hat helps. Check the day's schedule at your accommodation—timetables can shift with seasons.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.